After the 2-0 victory in Livorno, Conte touched on various topics including his shifting of Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal into the "sweeper" role and Juventus' aspirations in the Champions League.

What changed between the first and second half?

“Between the first and second half we analyzed a few aspects which went well like the defensive side, where we were very good in blocking their counters. As well as the aspects which were less good: definitely when we had the ball, the moving of the ball was a bit slow so this allowed Livorno to close down on all the spaces. Also, the movement of the midfielders who went little without the ball and gave little width to the team. In the second half, first 10 minutes aside, we were good as our midfielders created more width. Their contribution was very important because with their insertions Livorno’s 3 man defense it became a 3-on-3 situation and not a 2-on-3 situation as was happening in the first half. We were good, we took advantage of important situations and deservedly won a game.”

How come you chose Llorente and not Quagliarella and Vucinic who have worked with you for two weeks? Tevez and Llorente is the partnership that you’re building the team on?

“Let’s just say I’m always looking to put out the best formation, based on what I’ve seen during the week [in training]. I looked Fernando [Llorente] for very few days, but I saw that he had a good leg. He’s a player that is growing a lot, a player who’s doing really well and I think that he could grow even more. It’s inevitable that the partnership of Llorente-Tevez is doing important things, but let’s not forget that in this moment they have Vucinic, Quagliarella and Giovinco who has been stopped because of this persistent pain at his feet which has affected him for a month and a half.

You know the hierarchies are always changeable. In this moment, Llorente and Tevez are definitely doing very well and are being rewarded. I always try to look for the best solution, sometimes I nail it, other times less but I always try to do every possible to obtain the victory.”

Now do you have the feeling that you’ve definitively restarted? I also wanted to ask you for your feeling on Copenhagen…

“It’s difficult to say something conclusive after 13 games. I say that at the 13th week we’re confirming everything we’ve done in the first 2 years – being frontrunners this year too and to fight for to be on the summit. Everything seems like a given, but nothing is. The team is doing very well but let’s not forget that if Roma wins against Cagliari, they’ve done better than us. So we have 2 points more than last year, a demonstration that this is a very difficult championship. In the Italian championship you need be focused every game because every game can be a banana peel. It could’ve been that today at Livorno, instead we were good with our heads, risked very little and achieved the victory in a very deserved manner.

Copenhagen… the game with Livorno is over, we won and are happy but now we’re focusing in these three days on the Champions League. A game which will put us in or out but we know this very well. I’m happy that it is all in our own hands. Not depending on anyone. If we’re good then we will go forth in the Champions League, otherwise if someone else qualifies we’ll also need to be correct and honest and applaud whoever overtakes our place. Maybe we could also think about what we can do better in the future. But I’m very confident as are my players. And we want to advance.”

Did you expect Napoli’s defeat? Tactically, does Llorente participate more to the game than you expected?

“I did not look Napoli’s game yesterday because at the hotel they only showed Milan’s game. We looked Milan versus Genoa. Actually, I also got mad with the team manager Fabris because I wanted to look the game but it wasn’t possible. That being said, Fernando came accustomed to playing for Bilbao as a sole striker. They gave him the ball and then they won’t for the second ball. He was used to play alone. He is working hard. This transformation is part of a tactical growth, of work we’re doing in these 3 months that he and Carlos [Tevez] are doing. Let’s not forget that they’ve only been at Juventus for 3 months, while they others have an advantage as they already know my methods. He can definitely grow. The fact that Llorente is no longer considered only a poacher but a box-to-box striker makes me happy but should especially make him happy because he’s a striker that has to be a complete striker and not specialized in a certain aspect. The modern striker is one who participates with the team, who finishes, who runs after the opponent.”

Surprised by Napoli’s defeat?

“On paper Napoli was the favourites but we played Parma at the Tardini and they have players of an impressive caliber and it isn’t too out there that they can go to Napoli and win the game.”

How do you rate Vidal’s performance? He didn’t make one mistake.

“It was certainly a great performance but I had no doubts because when I hear of the great difficulties with injury emergencies I knew that with the quality of my players and the organization we have, it allowed me to shift players without needed any excuses. So we there it was, we had a great game. He played so well that he’s making me think of eventually pushing him into the center of defense.

Was that a joke?

“It was a joke… but it could happen that in some games I actually put him there. It’s an extra option.”

500 games for Buffon. I’d like you to spend 2 words for this great goalkeeper.

“I think that for Gigi, words that could maybe enclose who he is would be too few. Gigi is first of all an incredible man and then also an incredible footballer. For me, it was fundamental having him in my first year, along with Del Piero and Pirlo, for the growth of this team. He’s an exceptional footballer and has made 500 appearances. Sometimes when I hear certain criticisms too many in his regard it makes me laugh because I think of the greatness of this player and this person.”